Ray-Ban Vintage Sunglasses

Shopping for Vintage Ray-Bans

Since the 1930s, Ray-Bans have influenced fashion and pop culture. Still, there are a few things you should know before shopping for the perfect pair of vintage Ray-Bans on eBay.

What features should you look for in Ray-Ban vintage glasses?

There are dozens of sunglasses in the Ray-Ban portfolio available in a variety of frame and lens combinations. Here are a few to consider.

• Aviators - Introduced in the 1930s, Ray-Ban Aviators were specially designed to reduce glare for military pilots. The anti-glare specs hit the market in 1937 and featured a plastic frame. Later, they were redesigned with a metal frame.
• Wayfarers - The first Wayfarers appeared in 1952 and featured cat-eye lenses with an acetate frame. Since then, the glasses have undergone multiple updates to include more angles.
• Clubmaster - The shades feature a thick acetate frame at the top with a thin metal inlay for a semi-rimless look.
• Olympians - Ray-Ban Olympians entered the scene in the mid-1960s. An oversized rectangular-shaped lens and an arched metal ridge provide a classic aesthetic with a contemporary twist. A second model was launched in the late 1960s.
• Balorama- Sales of these wrap-style glasses skyrocketed in 1971.

Ray-Ban vintage lenses

Basic vintage Ray-Ban shades include:

• Classic - Also known as the G15 (green) and the B15 (brown), these new and preowned lenses block out the blue light to offer a clearer view.
• Gradient - These affordable lenses come in two styles: a crystal backside that delivers a smooth color transition and plastic-coated lenses for a perfect shift from dark to light
• Mirror - A mirrored coating helps reduce glare.
• Polarized - Eliminates glare, reduces eye strain, intensifies contrast, and improves visual clarity

Hallmarks to look for on vintage Ray-Ban sunglasses

By 1969, Ray-Ban's portfolio expanded to include models for women and children. To ensure authenticity, check for hallmarks on vintage Ray-Ban glasses.

• Genuine Ray-Bans feature high-quality materials.
• Original Ray-Bans have a silver, seven-barrel metal hinge.
• The first Ray-Bans had the letters BL (for Bausch + Lomb) etched crisply on the left lens. After the brand was sold in 1999, B&L was replaced with RB (for Ray-Ban).
• Most vintage Ray-Bans feature clear rubber nose pads with the logo embossed in the center.
• The serial number on vintage Ray-Bans should be on the inside left temple arm. Due to its thin frame and the technology of the time, Aviators manufactured before 1999 do not have serial numbers.

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